WSJ What’s News
WSJ What’s News

Trump to Push Big Tech to Fund New Power Plants

January 16, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

🎙️ The Voices & The Context

  • The Format: Fast-paced daily news podcast delivering top headlines, business stories, and expert interviews in a concise, radio-style briefing.
  • The Key Players:
    • Host: Luke Vargas, delivering smooth, professional narration for the Wall Street Journal's What's News? AM edition.
    • Guests: Peter Son (WSJ Asia political editor) on Canada-China ties; Suna Rasmussen (WSJ foreign correspondent) on Iran protests and U.S. intervention risks.
  • The Vibe: Educational and briskly informative, with a touch of geopolitical intrigue and wry humor in lighter segments like airplane etiquette.

🗝️ Key Themes & Topics

The episode covers global business, politics, and tech tensions amid U.S. policy shifts under Trump, blending hard news with analysis.

  • Topic 1: Tech Data Centers and Power Grids. Trump admin pushes for tech giants to bid on 15-year power plant contracts via PJM auction to speed data center grid connections; Energy Sec. Chris Wright seeks FERC oversight, clashing with states.
  • Topic 2: Canada's Pivot to China. PM Mark Carney visits Beijing amid U.S. strains, easing tariffs on Chinese EVs and Canadian canola to boost trade (China is Canada's #2 partner at $80B annually).
  • Topic 3: Iran Protests and U.S. Strike Risks. Potential Trump strikes unlikely to aid protesters due to regime resili

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:42) **Trump Admin Proposes Tech Firms Bid for Data Center Power Plants**
  • 2 (02:04) **Canada Pivots to China for Trade Amid US Strains**
  • 3 (04:22) **Venezuelan Leader Offers Trump Nobel Peace Prize**
  • 4 (05:12) **FDA Scrubs Cell Phone Safety Claims Amid New Radiation Study**
  • 5 (07:06) **Uncertain Impact of Potential US Strikes on Iran Protests**
  • 6 (11:12) **Markets Update**
  • 7 (11:53) **Government Push for Dressier Airplane Travel**

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

A.M. Edition for Jan. 16. The White House is set to call for an emergency auction in which tech companies can bid to build new power plants. The unprecedented federal intervention comes as local communities push back on new data centers over their effect on electricity costs. Plus, Journal Asia political editor Peter Saidel breaks down Canada’s embrace of China amid rocky relations with Washington. And the Trump administration’s futile campaign to get people to dress better on planes. Luke Vargas hosts. 


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